Wheel retainer



' sept. 25, 1944. -s W- HAYES 2,359,106

WHEEL RETAINER Filed Feb. 21, 1942 2 Shets-Sheet l sepnzs, 1944. s'. w. HAYES 2,359,106

WHEEL RETAINER Filed Feb. 21', 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sepl'. 26, 1944 WHEEL RETAINER Stanley W. Hayes, Richmond, Ind., assignor to Hayes Track Appliance Company, Richmond, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application February 21, 1942, Serial No. 431,849

27 Claims.

The present invention relates to wheel retain ers and more particularly to wheel Yretainers 'adapted to abut against a railway car wheel to hold the car against undesired movement.

One of the primary objects of the present in,- vention is the provision of a new and improved wheel retainer that is rugged in construction, that may be made readily, and also readily applied to and removed from tracks of the various dimensions usually used without the necessity of any adjustment or change therein.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved wheel retainer that is constructed as a 'self-contained unit so that it is always ready to be applied withoutthe necessity of reassembly or search for parts which may have been misplaced, and also in the provision of a wheel retainer that may be readily fabricated by welding.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved wheel retainer comprising a pair of opposed clamping elements whereby the retainer may be readily clamped to a rail, which clamping elements are so constructed and arranged relative to the retainer that when unclamped they automatically spread to enable the retainer easily to be applied to or removed from the rail.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wheel retainer of the aforesaid type wherein the fulcrum of the clamping elements is at or below the level at the top of the rail so as to produce a greater horizontal component of force to hold the retainer in place on the rail.

Another object of the invention is so to construct and arrange the clamping elements that their greatest strength is at the point at which they fulcrum.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved wheel retainer which can be released or unclamped at any time irrespective Y the carrier.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description, in the course of which the reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View showing the wheel retainer of the present invention applied toa track and abutting against a car wheel;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the wheel retainer shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the wheel retainer shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are views similar to Figsfl, 2,

and 3 showing the wheel retainer in unclamped or released position; v

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 1; K

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the manner in which the wheel retainer is lapplied toy a rail having a rail head of a width greater than the space between the opposed clamping elements; and 'A Fig. 10y is a framentary cross-sectional View :along the 'lines of Fig. 4 showing a modified construction.

Referring now to the drawings, it may be noted iirst that the wheel retainer of the present invention is releasably clamped to the rail head l l) of a rail I2. The retainer consists of four main structural assemblies: (1) a main frame I 4; (2) opposed movable clamping elements I6; (3) a lever or farm I8 for actuating the clamping elements; and (4) means` indicated generally by reference character 20 for applying force t0 the clamping element actuating lever land for locking the retainer in place.

The main frame I4 includes a horizontally disposed base plate 24 of a generally rectangular shape and .disposed with its longest dimension crosswise the rail. The base plate rests directly on top of the railhead when the retainer is placed on the rail and it is provided with opposed generally rectangular openings 26 through which the clamping elements IB extend and in which these elements are movable, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. In the specic embodiment of the invention illustrated, the longest dimension of the openings is parallel to the rail.

The main frame also includes a vertically dis, posed plate 28 provided with a wheel engaging surface 36 at its uppei1 forward corner. The surface 38 is so cut that it is tangential to the surface of the car wheel 32 to prevent the wheel from wedging the retainer so that the latter cannot be readily removed when desired and likewise to prevent the wheel from climbing over the retainer. In practice, the wheel engaging surface is located six inches above the top of the rail.

The vertical plate is also provided with a relativelyV low rearwardly projecting extension 34 also adapted to seat on the top of the rail. This exe tension adds to the ability of the wheel retainer to perform its intended function as it adds to the area of the retainer in engagement with the rail and as it provides leverage against tipping of the retainer by force exerted thereagainst by the wheel. It Valso provides a support for the force applying means 26, as will be described shortly.

' One of the features of the present invention is the provision of a wheel retainer that may be readily fabricated as by welding. To achieve this end, the main frame consists essentially of the two plates, already described, which may be readily welded together to form a strong and substantial unit. The vertical plate is cut away at its lower front edge to receive the horizontal vplate and then the two welded along the cut, as best illustrated in the side elevational views, Figs. 1 and 3. Additional strength is imparted to the Vjoint by beveling the lower horizontal edges of the cut in the vertical plate, as best illustrated in Fig. 4, Vand then filling the beveled portion with the weld.

' The main frame also includes a carrying handle 36 welded tothe vertical yplate and so located relative to the wheel retainer as a whole as to bal ance the ends of the retainer. It clears the car wheel, as shown in Fig. 1, and it is also so constructed that when the clamping elements are raised to clamp the rail head, the elements cannot come up and pinch the head. The main frame assembly includes further a stop pin 38 welded to the rear of vthe vertical plate, the function of which is to limit rearward movement ofthe force applying means to the extent shown in Figs, 5 and Y6, and a pair of bosses 4I) welded to opposite sides ofv the vertical plate adjacent its rear in alignment with an opening 42 (see particularly Fig. 8,) through the plate adapted to receive a shaft 44 about which the force applying means pivots. Y

The clamping elements I6 are so constructed and arranged that,v when moved upwardly by movement of lever I8, the wheel retainer is held to the rail by pressure having both vertical and horizontal components and the horizontal component of pressure is increased greatly by locat-V ing the fulcrums of the clamping elements at Vthe level of the top of' the rail. This reduces in great measure the possibility of the clamping elements springing or bending when pressure is applied to the retainer, particularly by a'moving car wheel.

YThe clamping elements are disposed in agenerally vertical position and are movable vertically in the apertures 26 in the base plate 24 by oscillation of lever I8. The latter carries at its front end a horizontal shaft 46, moved up and down in a vertical elongated slot 48 in the verticalV frame plate 2,8 when the lever is oscillated, and extending through rounded apertures 50 near the upper ends of the clamping elements. .The diameter of Y shaft 46 is slightly less, approximately lle inch,

and the smallest diameters of the rounded apertures 50 (see Fig. 4) in order to provide relatively free movement of the elements when the latter are actuated. The clamping elements are loosely held ron shaft 46 by washers 52 and pins 54 extending through the shaft near its outer ends.

The clamping elements are so configured and located relative to the base plate 24 that when moved upwardly by the actuating lever I8 they are also moved inwardly toward each other to clamp the rail head and that when moved downwardly they are automatically spread apart to permit easy installation and removal of the retainer from the track. This configuration may perhaps best be defined as generally leg shaped, as may be best noted from Fig. 4, which shows a transverse crosssection of the elements. The elements may be readily cut to this configuration by torch and are preferably so cut from steel plate.

The upper portions of the elements are generally arcuate in shape, as indicated by reference characters 56, so that the inner surfacesthereof may readily abut against opposite sides of the lever I8 when the elements are in rail clamping position. The intermediate portions 51 of the clamping elements have inner surfaces extending generally downwardly and outwardly and constitute camming surfaces engageable with the upper inner edges 58 of the apertures 26 in the base plates to effect spreading of the elements when the latter are lowered. The lower portions 59 of the elements have outer surfaces extending downwardly and outwardly which may also be considered as constituting cam surfaces engageable with the lower outer edges 60 of apertures 26 in the base plates, Vso that, as the elements are raised theyare at the same time moved inwardly. The elements also have rail head engaging toe portions 62, the upper forward surfaces 64' of which are made flat and angled to abut against the lower surfaces of the rail head when the elements.Y Vare in clamping position.

When the clamping elements are raised, the cam surfaces of the heel portions 59 abutting again'st the edges 66 force the clamping elements ing elements is preferably made of two spaced apart plates 64 apertured at their forward ends to receive the shaft 46 and located at opposite sides of the vertical plate 28 so as to be guided by the latter. The lever has a generally V-shaped .configuration with a large included angle and the lower portion is rounded as indicated by Vreference character 66 to provide a fulcrum or camming surface for the lever. The camming surface bears against the top of the mainframe base plate 24 to force the latter against the top of the rail when the lever I8 is depressed. In order te increase the lifting effect, the distance to the rear of the lever from the region of the fulcrum is made about three times as great'as the distance from the latter to the shaft 46.

Force is applied to the lever through a connector 68V defining a socket of generally arcuate shape and located between plates 64 near the rear of the latter. This connector is welded to the plates. The plates 64 are also connected by a toe plate 10. The toe plate is welded to the top of the plates 64 and slightly to the front of the connector. It is relatively long so that it can be easily contacted by hand or foot to move the lever after the clamping elements have been released.

Force is applied to the lever to clamp the retainer in place by a rotatable screw 12 forming part of the previously referred to force applying meansl 20. The screw is movable toward and away from the lever in a Ipivotally mounted loop structure comprising a pair of spaced apart plates 14 and a top cross piece 16 threaded to receive the screw. The lower ends are apertured to receive the previously referred to shaft 44 eX- tending through vertical plate 28 and pins 18 are driven through the shaft near its outer end to hold the loop structure thereon. The screw is secured against removal from the. loop structure by placing a drop 19 of welding material near the bottom of the screw, as indicated in Fig. 8.

The |.screw 12 is rotatable by a loop shaped handle 80 hingedly secured to the top of the screw by a4 U-shaped jaw 82 as by a rivet 84 extending through a cylindrical head 86 welded to the top of the screw, as best shown in Fig. 8. This construction enables the screw to be tightened without necessity of the handle being swung completely around and without necessity of shortening the handle to clear the wheel.

The retainer may be locked in clamped position by passing one or the other of twoplocking loops 88 through the looped handle and then securing the locking loop by a padlock, as illusi trated in Figs. 1 and 2. The locking loops are secured to the loop structure by generally U- shaped lugs 90 secured to the top piece 16, as by welding.

From the foregoing detailed description of the wheel retainer of the present invention, it may be noted that the various parts may be assembled readily to form a unitary structure which may be easily installed upon or removed from a rail.

In installing the retainer, the clamping Velements are released and spread apart, as best indicated in Figs. 5, 7, and 9 so that the retainer may be seated directly on the top of the rail. The actuating lever is then depressed either by hand or, preferably, by foot, the toe plate affording a conr veniently accessible part for contact with the foot. When the lever I8 is depressed, the clamping elements are moved upwardly, the lever I8 acting in effect as a cam for raising the shaft 46 and the clamping elements which are relatively freely suspended from the shaft. As the clamping elements are raised, the outer inclined surfaces 59 engage the lower outer edges of the apertures 26 in the base plate, with the result that the, elements are moved inwardly. After the clamlping elements have thus been brought into initial conta-ct with the rail head, additional relative movement between the structure and clamping elements is effected further to tighten the clamping elements on the rail head. This further relative movement is effected by bringing the screw 12 over the socket 68 and rotating it to force the rear end of the lever downwardly. This arrangement of the screw and lever provides an arrangement whereby a considerable force may what to the rear of the shaft 46, thereby to.

create a considerable multiplication in the force applied to the lever.

The clamping elements apply not only a vertical force to the rail head, but also a force having a horizontal component since the clamping elements are moved both upwardly and inwardly toward the rail head.

After the retainer has been secured in place, it may be locked by bringing one or the other of the links 88 through the link-like handle 80 secured to the screw and then applying a suitable lock to hold the link 88 in place.

The wheel retainer may be removed even though a wheel should be in contact with the wheel engaging surface 30 of the retainer since this surface is tangential to the wheel. To remove the retainer, it is necessary first to unlockv the screw handle 88 and then to release the screw so that the screw may be moved pivotally with its yoke clear of the actuating lever I8. When this is done, the weight of the clamping elements is sufficient to cause them to move` downwardly,.

with the result that they are spread apart, the spreading apart being effected by contact of the inclined inner surfaceson portions 51 of the elements with the upper inner edges 58 of the apertures 26 in the base plate 24. In the event the clamping elements should fail to move downwardly by gravity, as in case they should be stuck for any reason whatever, they may be forced downwardly by lifting the actuating lever. After the clamping elements have been moved downwardly and spread apart, it is a simple matter to remove the wheel retainer.

In the event the wheel retainer is to be installed on a rail having a head with a width greater than the distance between the clamping elements in their released position, then the retainer may be applied to the rail head in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9, i. e., by tipping the wheel retainer somewhat from its vertical position.

'The horizontal component of force applied to the rail head as a result of movement of the clamping elements in an upward direction, is increased by having the fulcrums against which the clamping elements abut located at the level of the top of the rail. This horizontal component may be increased further by moving the fulcrum point some distance below the rail head, as illustrated in Fig. 10. In the arrangement of this figure, the outer ends of the base plate 24 are provided with downwardlyextending abutments 94 having corners 96 for contact with the clamping elements 98 as the latter are moved upwardly. The clamping elements 98 of this modication are configured somewhat differently from those previously described in order that they may contact the corners 96 wardly.

While the present invention has been described in connection with specic details of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood these details are not to be construed as limitative of the invention except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States ls:

v1. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combinatiomrstructure defining a base and adapted to be s-upported by the rail headgsl'aid structure being provided with spacedapart apertures located at opposite sides of the ,rail head and each denn/ing a pair of fulcrums,

as they are moved uptically in one direction and engage saidone pair of fulcrums and are moved toward each otherY and into clamping engagement with the rail'head when moved vertically in the opposite direction, and means preventing movement of the uppermost portions of the clamping elements laterally of the rail toward each other when the clamping elements are moved upwardly. Y i

2. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure adaptto to be supported by the rail head. having a portion extending generally vertically above the rail head, said portion being slotted vertically, rail clamping elements located at opposite sides of the rail and each having a portion extending below the level of the underside of the rail head and laterally toward the rail, means movably and Vsubstantially freely suspending said elements from said portion, said means including a shaft having a diameter slightly less than the width of the slot in said slotted portion extending through said elements and movable vertical- Vly in the slotted portion for moving said clamping elements into clamping engagement with the rail head, and means restraining lateral movement of the clamping 'elements out of clamping engagement with the rail head.

3. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure adapted to be supportedV by the rail head having a portion extending generally vertically above the rail head, said portion being slotted vertically,'rail clamping elements located at opposite sides of the rail and each having a portion extending below the level of the underside of the rail head and laterally toward the rail, means including a shaft extending through said elementsgand slotted portion and movable vertically in the slotted portion for movably and substantially freely ysuspending said elements from said portion, cam means for moving said shaft in .said slottedportion and thereby moving said clamping elementsinto clamping engagement with the rail head, and means restraining lateral movement of the clamping elementsV out of clamping engagement with the'rail head.

4. A wheel retainer for installation Yon railway rails, including in combination, structure adapted to be supported by the rail head having a portion extending generally vertically above the'rail head and a generally horizontal portion said vertically extending portion being slotted vertically, rail clamping elements located at opposite sides of the rail and each having a portion extending below the level of the underside of the rail head and laterally toward the rail, means including a shaft extending through said ment of the clamping elements out of clamping engagement with the rail head. Y

5. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure adapted to be supported by the rail head having a portion extending generally vertically above the rail head and a generally horizontal portion, said vertically extending portion being slotted vertically, rail clamping elements located at opposite sides of the rail and each having a portion extending below the level of the underside of the rail head and laterally toward the rail, means including' a shaft extending through said ele- Y ments and movable vertically in the slotted porelements and movable vertically in the Vslotted Y tion for movably and substantially freely suspending said elements, rotatable cam means encircling said shait and bearing against said horizontal portion some distance from the shaft toV constitute a lever and fulcrum for effecting movement' of said shaft and said clamping elements into clamping engagement with the rail head, and means restraining lateral movement of the clamping elements out of clamping engagement with the rail head.

6. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure adapted to be supported by the rail head having a portion extending generally vertically above the rail head-said portion being slotted vertically, rail head clamping elements located at opposite sides of the rail and each having a portion extending below the level of the underside of the rail head and laterally toward the rail, means including a shaft extending through said elements and movable vertically in the slotted portion for movably and substantially freely suspending said elements from said portion, cam means for moving said shaft and said clamping elements into clamping engagement with the rail head, means associated with said cam means and structure for effecting relative movement between said structure and clamping elements further to tighten said clamping elements'on said rail head, and means restraining lateral movement of the Vclamping elements out ofclamping engagement head and generally horizontal laterally extending portions, said vertically extending portion being slotted vertically above and in the vicinity of said laterally extending portions, rail clamping elements located at opposite sides of the rail and each having a portion extending below the level of the underside of the rail head and laterally toward the rail, means including a'shaft extending through said elements and movable vertically in the slotted portion for movably and substantially -freely suspending said elements1 cam means encircling said shaft and .bearing against said laterally extending portion for moving said shaft and said clamping elements into clamping engagement with the rail head, said cam means and said structure also having portions extending rearwardly, means movably mounted in said rearwardly extending portion of said structure for applying force to the rearwardly extending portion of said cam means, and'mean's restraining lateralV movement of the V"clamping elements out of clamping engagement with the rail head.

s. A wheel retainer for instalation n ranway rails, including in combinatiom'structure definlng a base and adapted to be supported by the rail head, said structure having horiz ontallyv extending portions of substantial thickness provided with spaced apart generally rectangular apertures located at opposite sides of the rail head,rail head clamping elements extending from above to below the rail head having rail head engaging portions below the rail head and extending laterally toward the rail, means suse pending said elements substantially freely from said structure for vertical movement in said apertures, said elements having generally up wardly and inwardly extending inner surfaces adapted to engage the upper inner edges of said apertures whereby the elements are spread apart when they are moved downwardly, and also having generallyY downwardly and outwardly extending outer surfaces adapted to engage the lower outer edges of said apertures when the elements are moved upwardly, whereby the elements are moved toward each other when they are raised and are moved into clamping engagement with the rail head, and means preventing movement ofthe uppermost portions of the clamping elements laterally of the rail toward each other when the elements are moved upwardly.

9. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure define ing a base and adapted to be supported by the r'ail head, said structure having horizontally extending portions of substantial thickness provided with spaced apart generally rectangular apertures located at opposite sides of the rail head,` rail head clamping elements" having portions extending from above to below the rail head, means suspending said elements substantially freely from said structure for vertical movement in`- said apertures, said elements having generally upwardly and inwardly extending inner surfaces adapted to engage the upper inner edges of said apertures whereby the elements are spaced apart when the elements are moved downwardly, andV also having generally downwardly and outwardly extending outer surfaces adapted to engage the outer lower edges of said apertures when the elements are moved upwardly, whereby the elements arel moved toward each other when they are raised, said elements also having toe-like portions located below the rail head provided with' inclined surfaces adapted to be forced against the lower surfaces of the rail head when the elements are raised,- and means preventing movement of the uppermost portions of the claniping'-l elements laterally of the rail toward each' other when the elements are moved upwardly.

10. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails,y including in combination, structure' denn'- ing a base and adapted to be supported by the rail` head', said structure havingrportions of substzm'-v tial" thickness provided with spaced apart gen'- erally rectangular apertures located' at opposite sidesv of the rail head, the lower outer edge of said apertures being substantially at the level' of the top of the rail head, rail head clamping elements having portions extending` from above to below the rail head, means suspending said elements substantially freely from said structure for verticalv movement in said apertures, said elef mentshaving generally upwardly and inwardly extending inner surfaces adaptedto engage the upper inner edges of said apertures whereby"the` elements are spread apart when the elements arek moved downwardly, and also having generally downwardly and outwardly extending outer sur said apertures when the elements are moved upwardly, whereby the elements are moved toward each other about fulcrums defined by said outer lower edges when they are raised, said elements also having toe-like portions located below the rail head provided with inclined surfaces adapted to be forced against the lower surfaces of the rail head when the elements are raised and means preventing movement of the uppermost portions of the clamping elements laterally of the rail toward each other when the elements are moved upwardly.

11. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure delining a base and adapted `to be supported by the rail head, said structure having portions of substantial thickness provided with spaced apart faces adapted message the outer lower edges of 'I5 generally rectangular apertures located at opposite sides of the rail head, the upper inner edges of said apertures dening a first pairof fulcrums, abutment defining structure adjacent the lower outer edges of said apertures defining a second pairof fulcrums substantially below the level of the' top of the rail head, rail head clamping elements having portions extending from above to below the rail head, means suspending said elements substantially freely from said structure for vertical movement in said apertures, said ele' ments having generally upwardly and inwardly extending inner surfaces adapted to engage the first pair of fulcrums whereby the elements are spread apart when the elements are moved downwardly, and also having generally downwardly and outwardly extending outer surfaces adapted to engage the second pair of fulcrums when the elements ,are moved upwardly, whereby the elements are moved Vtoward each other when they are raised, said elements also having toe-like portions' located below the rail head provided with inclined surfaces adaptedV to be forced against the lower surfaces of the rail head when the elements are raised, and means preventing movement of the uppermost portions of the clamping elements laterally of the rail toward each other when the y head,V rail head clamping elements movably` mounted on said structure at opposite sides of th'e rail for Vertical and sidewise movement relative to the rail, said elements extending from aboveV to below the rail head and having rail head engaging portions extending laterally toward the rail below the rail head, said structure having fulcrums located substantially at the level -of the' top of the rail, means for moving said clamping elements upwardly and about said fulcrums,` whereby said elements are moved toward the4 rail into rail head clamping position, and means preventing movement of the uppermost portions of the clamping elements laterally of the rail toward each other when the elements are moved upwardly.

173". A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails', including in combination, structure defining abase and adapted to be supportedI by the rail Ahead, rail head clamping elements* movably secured to said structure for vertical and sidee wise' movement relative to the rail', saidelements extending from above to'below the rail head and having rail head engaging portions extending laterally toward the` rail below the 'rail' head, lsaid structure having fulcrurns engageable by said elements for effecting sidewise movement thereof,

4means including a cam operatively connected to said elements for simultaneously moving said clamping elements upwardly and about a pair of said fulcrurns toward the r'ail into rail head clamping position and for simultaneously releasing said elements for movement downwardly and about another pair of said fulcrums away from the'rail into released position, and means preventing movement of the uppermost portions of the clamping elements laterally of the rail toward each other when the elements are moved upwardly.

14; A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, vincluding in combination, structure deninga base and adapted to be supported by the rail head, rail head clamping elements movably secured to said structure for vertical and sidewisemovement relative to the rail, said elements extending from above to below the rail head and having rail head engaging portions extending laterally toward the rail below the rail head, means including a cam operatively connected to said clamping elements and having an actuating arm for simultaneously moving said clamping elements upwardly and toward the rail into rail head clamping position and for simultaneously releasing said elements for movement downwardly and away from the rail into released position, a toe plate secured to said arm for actuating said cam, and means preventing movement of the uppermost portions of the clamping elements laterally ofthe rail toward each otherV when the elements are moved upwardly.

15. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure defining a base and adapted to be supported by the rail head, rail head clamping elements movably secured to said structure for vertical and sidewise movement relative to the rail, said elements extending'from above to below the rail head and having rail head engaging portions extending laterally toward the rail below the rail head, means including a cam operatively connected to said clamping elements and having an actuating arm for simultaneously moving said clamping elements upwardly and toward the rail into rail head clamping positionv and for simultaneously releasing said elements for movement downward- Y ly and away from the rail into released position, means including a screw pivotally mounted on said structure for engaging said arm to eilect movement of said cam, and means preventing movement of the uppermost portions of the clamping elements laterally of the rail toward each other when the elements are moved-,up-

wardly. l Y

16. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure dening a base and adapted to be supported by the rail head, rail head clamping elements movably secured to said structure for vertical and sidewise movement relative to the rail, said elements extending iromrabove to below the rail head and having rail head engaging portions extending laterally toward the rail below the rail head, means including a cam operatively connected to said clamping elements and having an actuating arm for simultaneously moving said clamping elements upwardly and toward the rail into rail head clamping position and for simultaneously releasing said elements for movement downwardly and away Vfrom the rail into released position, means movably mounted on said structure including a screw for engaging said arm to effect movement of said cam, means for locking said screw against 25 clamping position.

assaoe rotation, and means preventing movement of th uppermost portions of the clamping elements laterally of the rail toward each other when the elements are moved upwardly.

17. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, a plate seatable upon and extending horizontally beyond the sides of a rail, a vertical plate secured centrally to and above said plate provided with a surface at its l0 front end adapted tangentially tosabut against a wheel, said horizontal plate being provided with apertures at opposite sides of said vertical plate and said vertical plate being provided with a vertical slot, clamping elements movable in said 15 apertures and having rail head engagingporincluding a shaft extending through the slot in said vertical plate and through the apertures in said elements for moving the elements into rail head clamping position| and means restraining lateral movement of the clamping elements out of 18. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, a plate seatable upon and extending horizontally beyond the sides of a rail, a vertical plate secured centrally to and above said plate provided with a surface at its front end adapted tangentially to abut against a wheel, said horizontal plate being provided with generally rectangular apertures at opposite sides of said vertical plate and saidsvertical plate being provided with a vertical slot,

clamping'elements movable in said apertures and having rail head engaging j portions below said horizontal plate and the level of the underside of the rail head and extending laterally toward 40 the rail and portions extending above said plate tion, said clamping elements having surfaces abutting against the edges of the apertures inV said horizontal plate for effecting muvement-V thereof into engagement with the rail headwhen they are raised and for spreading them apart when they are lowered, and means preventing movement of the uppermost portions of the clamping elements laterally of ,the rail toward each other when Vthe elements are raised.

s 19. A wheel retainer for installation on rail-.LV way rails, including in combination, a base plate.

seatable upon and extending horizontally beyond the sides of a rail, a vertical platev secured centrally to and above said plate provided with a surface at its front end adapted tangentially to abut ogagainst a wheel, said base plate being providedA portions below said base plate and the level of the underside of the rail and extending laterally toward the rail and portions extending above said plate provided with aperturesgmeans including aV shaft extending through0 the slot Vinrsaidv vertical plate and through the apertures in` said elements moving the elements" intorail head clamping position, a pair of shaft-encircling cams located at opposite sides of said vertical plate l between said plate and the clamping elements 76 v and bearing against said base plate for moving said elements into rail head clamping position, and means restraining lateral movement of the clamping elements out of clamping position.

20. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, a base plate seatable upon and extending horizontally beyond the sides of a rail, a vertical plate secured centrally to and above said plate provided with a surface at its front end adapted tangentially to abut against a wheel, said base plate being provided with apertures at opposite sides of said Vertical plate and said vertical plate being provided with a vertical slot, clamping elements movable in said apertures and having rail head engaging portions below said base plate and the level of the underside of the rail head and extending laterally toward the rail and portions extending above said plate provided with apertures, means including a shaft extending through the slot in said vertical plate and through the apertures in said elements for movably supporting the latter, a pair of shaft encircling cams located at opposite sides of said vertical plate and between said plate and the clamping elements and bearing against said base plate for moving said elements into rail head clamping position, said cams having rearwardly extending arms, a toe plate extending transversely of and secured to the tops of said arms into rail head clamping position, and means restraining lateral movement of the clamping elements out of clamping position.

2l. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, a base plate seatable upon and extending horizontally beyond Y the sides of a rail, a vertical plate secured centrally to and above said plate provided with a surface at its front end adapted tangentially to abut against a wheel and with a relatively low portion extending rearwardly and seatablef on the top of the rail, said base plate being provided with apertures near its front end and at opposite sides of said vertical plate and said vertical plate being provided with a vertical slot, clamping elements movable in said apertures and having rail head engaging portions below said base plate and the level of the underside of the rail head and extending laterally toward the rail and portions extending above said plate provided with apertures, means including a shaft extending through the slot in said vertical plate through the apertures in said elements for movably supporting the latter, a pair of shaft encircling cams located at opposite sides of said vertical plate and between said plate and the clamping elements andbearing against the plate for moving said elements into rail head clamping position, said cams having rearwardly extending arms, a member connecting the ends of said arms, means secured to cam arms into rail head clamping position, and

means restraining lateral movement of the clamping elements out of clamping position.

22. A wheel retainer as claimed in claim 21, wherein the vertical plate has secured to it a handle located rearwardls7 of the wheel abutting surface and the wheel retainer as a whole is balanced relative thereto.

23. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, a base plate seatable upon and extending horizontally beyond the sides of a rail, a vertical plate secured centrally to and above said plate provided with a surface at its front end adapted tangentially 'to abut against a wheel and with a relatively low portion extending rearwardly and seatable on the top of the rail, said base plate being provided with apertures near its front end and at opposite sides of said vertical plate and said vertical plate being provided with a vertical slot, clamping elements movable in said apertures and having rail head engaging portions below said base plate and the level of the underside of the rail head and extending laterally toward the rail and portions extending above sad plate pro-vided with apertures, means including a shaft extending through the slot in said vertical plate through the apertures in said elements for movably supporting the latter, a pair of shaft encircling cams located at opposite sides of said vertical plate and between said plate and clamping elements and bearing against the plate for moving said elements into rail head clamping position, said cams having rearwardlyiextending arms, a member connecting the ends of said arms, means secured to the end of the extension of said vertical plate for movement above and into contact with said member for applying a downward force to said cam arms, said last mentioned means including a yoke pivotally secured to said extension, a screw mounted in said yoke and means for securing said screw to the yoke to lock it into rail head clamping position, and means restraining lateral movement of the clamping elements out of clamping position;

24. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure defining a base and adapted to be supported by the rail head, and means for detachably securing said structure to the rail base, said structure having an aperture located at one side of the rail head defining a pair of fulcrums, one fulcrum of said pair of fulcrums being located substantially at the level of the top of the rail head, and said securing means including a rail head clamping element extending from above to below the rail head movable vertically in the aperture and having a portion below the rail head extending laterally toward the rail, said element being so configured i and arranged relative to the aperture that it engages the other fulcrum of said pair of fulcrums and is spread apart when moved vertically in one direction and engages said one fulcrum of the pair of fulcrums and is moved towardthe rail when moved vertically in the opposite direction, said securing means including also means engageable against and under the other side of the rail head, and means preventing movement of the portion of the clamping element above the rail laterally of the rail toward said other side when the element is moved in said opposite direction.

25. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure adapted to be supported by the rail head having a portion extending Igenerally vertically above the rail head, said portion being slotted vertically, and means for detachably securing said structure to the rail head, said securing means including a rail head clamping element located at one side of the rail and extending from above to below the level of the underside of the rail head and laterally toward the rail below the rail head, means including a shaft extending through the element and slotted portion and movable vertically in the slotted portion for movably and substantially freely suspending the element from said portion, cam means for moving said shaft in said slotted portion and thereby moving said clamping element into clamping engagement with the rail head, means restraining lateral movement of the clamping element out of clamping engagement with the rail head, and said securing means including also means engageable against and under the other side of the rail head.

26. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure deining a base and adapted to be supported by the rail head, said structure including a horizontally extending portion of substantial thickness located above the rail head and having an aperture located at one side of the rail head, and means for detachably securing said structure to the rail head, said securing means including a rail head clamping element extending from above to below the rail head and having a rail head engaging portion underneath the rail head and extending laterally toward the rail, means suspending said element substantially freely from said structure for vertical movement in said aperture, said element having a generally upwardly and inwardly extending inner surface adapted to engage the upper inner edge of said aperture whereby the element moves away from the rail when it moves downwardly, and also having a generally downwardly and outwardly extending outer surface adapted to engage the lower outer edge of said aperture when the element moves upwardly whereby the element ismoved toward and into clamping engagement with the rail head when it is raised, and means for preventing movement of the upper end of the element laterally of the rail toward said other side when the element is raised, and said securing means including also means engageable against and under the other side of the rail head.

'27. A wheel retainer for installation on railway rails, including in combination, structure defining a base and adapted to be supported by the rail head, means for detachably securing said structure to the rail head, said securing means including a rail head clamping element movably secured to said structure at one side of the rail head for vertical and sdewise movement rela-- 20 for moving said clamping element upwardly and about one of the fulcrums toward the rail into rail head clamping position and for releasing said element for`movement downwardly and aboutY another of the fulcrums away from the rail into 25 released position, and means for preventing movement of the upper end of the element laterally of the rail toward the other side when the element is raised, and said securing means including also means engageable against and under 30 the other side of the rail head.

STANLEY W. HAYES. 

